New School Barbecue Cookbook - Evan LeRoy

New School Barbecue Cookbook - Evan LeRoy

Author: Andrew and Bryan May 12, 2026 Duration: 39:14
New School Barbecue, Recipes for Next Level Smoking and Grilling by Evan LeRoy and Paula Forbes is a beautiful new cookbook that gives you behind the curtain access to the recipes that made LeRoy and Lewis a two-time Michelin Star recipient and Evan a James Beard semifinalist. Grab your copy wherever books are sold and get to LeRoy and Lewis for a taste of why it’s one of the best and most influential barbecue restaurants in the country. Instagram: evanleroybbq, leroyandlewis Order the book: www.abramsbooks.com  

There’s a whole world of smoke and story behind every plate of Texas barbecue, and that’s exactly where Tales from the pits lives. Hosts Andrew and Bryan pull up a chair beside the people who shape this beloved tradition, moving far beyond just recipes and techniques. Each conversation digs into the personal journeys of pitmasters, restaurateurs, and suppliers-the real trendsetters and icons who define the industry. You’ll hear firsthand accounts of building a business around a smoker, the cultural roots of different regional styles, and the unexpected challenges of keeping a centuries-old craft alive and thriving today. This podcast is as much about community and place as it is about food, exploring how barbecue intersects with art, travel, and local identity across Texas. For anyone captivated by the aroma of post oak and the pursuit of the perfect bark, these stories offer a genuine connection to the passion and personality fueling every fire. Tune in for honest talks from the pits, the kitchens, and the minds that are shaping what Texas barbecue means now.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Tales from the pits, a Texas BBQ podcast featuring trendsetters, leaders, and icons from the barbecue industry
Podcast Episodes
Ep. 184 Pitmasters answer our listener’s questions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:04
We asked our listeners what questions they’d like to ask pitmasters, and as always you came through with some good ones! We sent out questionnaires to several of the best in the barbecue world and many were kind enough t…
Ep. 183 BBQ, Tacos, and how to support your local BBQ Joint [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:52
Our recent trip to the Rio Grande Valley was filled with so many memorable food experiences. From innovative new school barbecue to classic barbacoa to chef driven tacos and even an over 100 year old gordita place servin…
Ep. 182 - Rio Grande Valley Pitmaster Roundtable [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:25
One of the fastest growing barbecue scenes in Texas is taking place in the Rio Grande Valley where local pitmasters are showcasing both the popular modern craft style along with menu items and ingredients they grew up wi…
Ep. 181 - Kris Manning and Smokey Joe’s BBQ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:13
When Kris Manning took over Smokey Joe’s BBQ from his father Kenneth Manning and Joe Melton, the original owners, he had a delicate balance to strike: balancing the traditions of a restaurant serving the community since…
Ep. 180 Pitts And Spitts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:40
In 2015 Ryan Zboril bought the well known Houston based pit builder, Pitts and Spitts, and saw an opportunity to grow the brand of this longtime trusted company. Working alongside his National Sales Director, Coy Christo…
Ep. 179 Our Whole Hog Education [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:29
As much as we love Texas barbecue, both the traditional and the modern styles, we’ve developed a strong affinity and appreciation for the different whole hog preparations in many of the southern states. A curiosity born…
Ep. 178 Derrick Walker of Smoke-A-Holics [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:59
Having been involved in competition barbecue and running pop ups for decades, Derrick Walker is not new to the barbecue world. After years of working his way through the kitchen ranks at a hospital and getting a culinary…
Ep.177 Daniel Vaughn BBQ Snob [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:36
Five years ago we launched Tales from the Pits to help tell the stories behind the people in barbecue. Daniel Vaughn’s writing and documenting of Texas barbecue has been one of our (and everyone else in the state’s) bigg…
Ep. 176 Robert F Moss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:06
We were thrilled to have the chance to sit down with Robert F. Moss during our recent trip to South Carolina for the Charleston Wine + Food Festival. Robert is a wealth of culinary knowledge and the research he's done on…
Ep. 175 Old School BBQ Road Trip Roundtable [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:21
We joined up with some of our friends in barbecue for a BBQ road trip to some of our favorite old school barbecue joints. For some of us it was a revisit to these classic places and for others it was their first visit. W…